Tawau: Apas Assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the BN-Star government formed by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Hj Aman on May 10 is still lawful.

Nizam said the original State Government (Musa's Cabinet) has yet to be disbanded because it has a majority of 31 assemblymen - 29 from BN and two from Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Star).

"They were sworn in and has not resigned. The government was formed and then they (six BN assemblymen) jump...perhaps they should reflect whether they are really sincere in their struggle.

"We have 31 seats that allow us to have a simple majority. The Head of State has no power to deprive Musa of holding the Chief Minister's post, so we are leaving it to the court because now we have two Chief Ministers," he said after chairing the Tawau Division Special Umno Meeting at Tawau Umno Office, here, Wednesday.

Nizam said Umno Tawau is still holding on and will continue to carry out its usual duties as it believed that Musa's original government is still legal.

According to him, the special meeting discussed the preparations for meetings at the branch level on May 19-June 10 with the wings (June 26) and Umno Division (June 30).

He said Umno Sabah is still intact despite rumours that it will be dissolved.

Star President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had suggested that all BN assemblymen will leave their respective parties and form Gabungan Bersatu.

"There has been no decision yet. That is one of the suggestions from our partners," he said.

To a question whether the BN will be a strong opposition in the State assembly, Nizam said: "We are in the government. The 11 cabinet ministers have been sworn in, so legally, they are ministers".

He agreed with Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin's suggestion that young leaders in Umno should be more vocal and bold following the party's defeat in the 14th general election. - Lagatah Toyos

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